QUEBEC’S ISSUES of the 1960s – NOW

Quebec Nationalism 1936 to 1939 and 1944-1959, Quebec was governed by the Union Nationale Party under Premier Maurice Duplessis - a strong Quebec nationalist, devoted the idea of Quebec as a distinct society or “nation” - introduced the new flag bearing the fleur-de-lis

Duplessis Quebec Under Duplessis the Catholic Church dominated French culture and promoted traditions of Faith, Family and Farms Catholic Church ran hospitals and schools Duplessis encouraged foreign investment, guaranteeing cheap labour and suppressing unions - as a result, bribery and corruption dogged the Union Nationale party as businesses gave kickbacks http://archives.cbc.ca/IDD-1-73-1461/politics_economy/maurice_duplessis/] Drapeau

Quiet Revolution In 1959 Duplessis dies 1960, Jean Lesage and the Liberals came to power promising “time for a change” Union Nationale stops existing Reform begins almost immediately Lesage = 1st Premier of Quebec after Duplessis

Quiet Revolution Lesage attacked corruption Government jobs and contract were now awarded on merit Wages and pensions were raised Attempts were made to modernize the economy, education and social services Schools were reformed The power and influence of the Catholic Church declined This wave of change became known as the Quiet Revolution

Economic Reform 1962 election, the Liberals campaigned on the slogan “maitres chez nous” – meaning “masters in our own house” the goal was to strengthen Quebec’s control of its own economy For example, the province created Hydro-Quebec, a large publicly-owned electrical company, by buying up smaller private companies http://archives.cbc.ca/IDD-1-73-651/politics_economy/quebec_elections/

Separatism The Quebecois began to feel proud of their achievements They became angrier at perceived injustices from English-speaking Canadians At this time, Ottawa was dominated by English speaking politicians, few cabinet ministers were ever French-speaking French-Canadians did not have rights to their own schools and hospitals in the rest of Canada while English-speaking Canadians had those rights in Quebec Everyone was expected to speak English at work in Quebec Some Quebecois began to believe that the answer was to separate from Canada

The FLQ A group of radical young Quebecois created the FLQ – The Front de Liberation du Quebec The FLQ began to use acts of terrorism to attack symbols of English-Canadian power in Quebec Most Quebec nationalists were not this radical and disapproved of the use of terrorism

Separatism Armee de Liberation du Quebec (ALQ) robbed banks for money & raided CND Armed Forces for ammunition. From 1963-70 1 bomb/ 10 days 1968 Parti Quebecois formed by Rene Levesque – passionate, wanted own country but opposed to terrorism

Ottawa’s Response to Separatism Prime Minister Pearson believed that Quebec had to feel more at home in Canada for everyone’s benefit He appointed the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism, the “Bi and Bi Commission” The Commission recommended that the country should become officially bilingual and have 2 official languages

The Flag Flap Pearson also wanted to act on a longstanding complaint that Canada’s symbols were too British He proposed a new flag should replace the British Union Jack and The Red Ensign Pearson chose the symbol of the maple leaf as he felt it represented all of Canada This idea was very controversial – “The Flag Flap” Many felt that Pearson was pandering to Quebec interests Debate raged across the country http://archives.cbc.ca/IDD-1-73-80/politics_economy/canada_flag/

Three Wise Men Pearson looked for well-known Quebeckers to run as Liberals & invited “Three Wise Men from Quebec”all 3 elected (includes Trudeau)

October Crisis Oct 5, James R Cross Br Trade Commissioner kidnapped FLQ will kill in 48 hrs IF manifesto not read on CBC Oct 10 Que Labour Minister Pierre Laporte kidnapped

October Crisis Oct 16 WAR MEASURES ACT 1st time used in ‘peace time’ & takes away civil liberties FLQ made illegal (suspicious of FLQ you can be arrested), people can be held up to 21 days without charges, 90 days without trial How far will Trudeau go; “Just watch me” Trudeau just watch me quote

October Crisis Oct 18 Laporte found dead in trunk of car (choked to death by his religious necklace) Dec 4 (after 59 days) Cross exchanged… kidnappers to Cuba Dec 28—3 FLQ members charged with murder of Laporte James Cross 8 weeks after being released (7.5 mins)

Official Languages Act Many immigrants to Que but want kids to learn English Bill 22 introduced to make Fr official lang in Que 1982 report on bilingualism 2 mins

Parti Quebecois Victory! Rene Levesque & separatist party won power of Quebec’s prov leg.

Bill 101 Language Law Fr use in gov’t, courts, business, all signs in Fr ONLY, only students with at least 1 parent Eng speaking could go to Eng school. Many Eng speaking people/ co. left Quebec (1977 50000 left)

Bill 101 Alliance Quebec = group legally fought Bill 101 Supreme court ruled violated Charter of Rights & Freedoms (1988/89)… Bourassa amends to Bill 178  “outside” signs in Fr only Supreme Court Ruling (3 mins )

Referendum 1980 “sovereignty association” between Que & CND Levesque “oui”/ Trudeau “non” 60% non/ 40% oui Trudeau on Non & renew constitution (3 mins)

Referendum 1980 Therefore Trudeau wanted to reform Canada to stop it from happening again: Canadian Consitution (’82), Meech Lake (’87), Charlottetown Accord (’91) [see gov’t notes] Robert Bourassa review of life after death

1990s More Separation 2nd Referendum 50.6% no, 49.4% yes! Rally for Quebeckers to stay (8 mins ) Bloc Quebecois (Lucien Bouchard) win FEDERAL votes Reform Party… western (Preston Manning)—opposes bilingualism & special treatment for Quebec